Half an hour later, I completed all the formalities with the HR manager, and as soon as I stepped out, I ran into Charles.
With a mocking tone, he sneered, "Where are you off to, Angus? I heard you quit. Got a better opportunity lined up?"
His words immediately painted me as someone climbing the corporate ladder, assuming I was off to greener pastures.
Now, my colleagues were giving me strange looks.
I smiled calmly and did not bother to refute him. "That's right, I can see this company is going downhill, so I'm getting out while the getting's good. Take it easy once you take over. Don't run the place into the ground!"
His face darkened instantly.
"What's that supposed to mean, Angus?"
"Just what it sounds like. Didn't you understand?" I shot him with a disdainful look and turned to leave.
From behind, Charles chuckled derisively. "Susan said you'd come crawling back if you knew what's good for you. If you apologize, she'll forgive you. Then you can be my assistant and work under me."
I turned back and looked at him. "Didn't Susan tell you? I'm done with her. Tell her not to show her face around me anymore!"
Charles's brows furrowed tightly, but I walked away without a second thought.
Did he really think signing a contract was the end of it?
The partnership would only be considered a success after fundings were secured. Should the funding stall for three months, the company would go under.
My relationship with Mr. Reed spanned years. Could Charles even compare?
Back at home, I started packing up and dividing the assets. Did Susan really think that I would have no leverage after withholding my company dividends?
As long as we were still married, the company's assets included my share. But first, I needed to separate things.
I consulted a lawyer, laying out my current situation. I demanded half, given that I had no concrete evidence of their affair.
However, I instructed the lawyer to aim for seventy percent if possible, and the lawyer assured me it could be done.
I also hired someone to keep tabs on Susan and Charles. Those two schemers were bound to be together eventually.
I was in no hurry. Once I packed up, I moved all my belongings to a small apartment I bought before my marriage.
I lay down on the bed, feeling prepared for what was to come. The apartment was equipped with surveillance. Everything was in place and just waiting for the right moment.
But that evening, to my surprise, she returned home right on time.
She saw me lying in bed and flew into a rage, embarrassed and furious. "Get up! How dare you lie here doing nothing!
"Do you have any idea? Tonight, Mr. Reed already reached out to us and said I..."
I did not want to hear it and cut her off. "What does that have to do with me?"
"What are you talking about?" she snapped.
"I mean exactly what I said. If you don't like it, just ignore me. Also, sign the divorce papers so we can go our separate ways."
Hearing my words, Susan froze. "Have you lost your mind, Angus?"
"I never realized how petty you were!" she continued, indignant. "Today, in front of everyone, you said I wouldn't pay you even though it's our joint marital property. How could you be so shameless?"
I looked up at her calmly. "So you do understand that it's joint marital property. I'm just asking for what's rightfully mine, not a penny more. So, save your breath. Since you and Charles are so close, I'll let you have each other. From now on, you two can be the perfect pair."
Maybe it was because I was being too blunt, her face turned red with anger. However, she quickly softened her tone. "Don't act impulsively. Even though I approved your resignation today, you're still part of the company. Settle things with Mr. Reed first, then we can talk after that."
I shrugged. "I can't do that. That's Charles's job now. Everyone knows he's the big hero behind signing that contract."
I then added, just to mock her, "If I stepped in, how would that make Charles look?"
